Working mother of two just trying to survive. This is just a place to house fun anecdotes, express frustrations, share yummy recipes, document special moments and keep me sane. Whether you are a working mom, stay at home mom, single mom or married - the truth of the matter is life with kids is crazy, amazing and scary.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

As you know this is breast cancer awareness month and I'm sure most of you personally know someone who has battled or is battling breast cancer. I have known several women in my life who have had the misfortune of fighting this fight. In the last few years I have been fortunate enough to have met November Durst, an amazing mother and wife. November is only in her mid thirties and has a precious 5 year old son, Jordan, and a wonderful husband, Jason. November recently found out that her breast cancer came back in a short period of time went from non-existent to stage 4. She is a strong courageous woman who has handled this with such grace, dignity and faith. Here is a little more information on her amazing story: http://www.sharingcourage.com/Survivors/Survivor.aspx?id=48

I am hosting an online Stella & Dot Trunk show in honor of November and 50% proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen charity: http://ww5.komen.org/and the other 50% will be given to November to help with medical bills and costs

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Do you ever have those days where you have a million things to do, a million ideas and thoughts running through your head and you can't seem to focus on anything long enough to get anything accomplished?! Well, that has been my life the past week. All of a sudden it's like my brain just stopped working and I am officially flighty. It may have something to do with the fact that out of nowhere Blake has decided to revert back to the early infant days and wake up up for several hours in the middle of the night, or it could be the fact that I've had 2 trunk shows almost every week this month, or it could be that I am trying to plan meals for the week, go grocery shopping, clean house and take care of everything else all at the same time....in short - too many distractions! Anywho, long story short I have had to revert to carrying a pen and note pad around with me at all times to write down what I need to do, and what I've finished. I mean seriously - it's getting ridiculous! That being said, I was trying to plan the meals for the week when I came upon two fantastic recipes that I often forget about. These two recipes are super easy, super tasty and don't take a lot of ingredients. In fact, most of the ingredients you probably have lying around your house already.

this one came from my friend Amanda and it rocks!!!

Spicy Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients

8 oz package of spaghetti (I buy a full package…it’s normally 14 oz and put in around half)

½ purple onion chopped

1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup

2-4 chicken breasts cooked and diced – seasoned Tony Chacheres or Mexican spices (I have also used the meat from a rotisserie chicken)

8 oz of Velveeta (they sell smaller sizes, and you can also use cheese wiz in the jar…it melts better)

1 can of Ro-Tel

*Optional Items that I found are pretty yummy!

Whole wheat spaghetti…it’s really good in here because it’s baked with cheese J

Mushrooms

Green Pepper

A few jalapenos

Directions

Cook spaghetti according to the package. Sauté onions in a large deep pan (you will use this to mix everything into) with a little butter and once they are done, add in the cream of chicken soup and Velveeta to melt.

After you have a good mixture in your pan, add the chicken and then finally fold in your cooked spaghetti.

Pour the whole thing into a 13X9 backing dish and bake on 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Baked Dijon Pork Chops

ingredients:

4 - 6 pork chops

3/4 c. olive oil

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

1/4 c. dijon mustard

2 tbs. minced chives or green onion

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 clove garlic minced

preheat oven to 475. Arrange pork chops on in a baking pan. spread mustard sauce over top of each pork chop and bake on top rack for 10 min. Turn chops over, spread mustard sauce over pork chop and cook another 10 min or until browned and no longer pink at the bone.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Today is Blake's 6 month birthday and it SERIOUSLY baffles me that half a year has already passed since she was born. I know she has changed so much from that tiny little nugget we brought home in April, but at the same time I can't even believe that she's already half way down with her first year of life! It doesn't seem possible!!! I must say - it has been the most difficult 6 months of my life, but the BEST 6 months of life! I feel so truly blessed to have this amazing little girl in my life and to be able to spend my days at home with her. I wouldn't change this for anything in the world!

Major highlights in the last month: she has her two front bottom teeth. She started eating solid food (she LOVES sweet potatoes and squash!) She can sit unsupported for several minutes at a time now. She can take her pacifier out and put it back in her mouth correctly most of the time. :) She also attended her first college football game and didn't fuss at all!

Look at the comparison between her now and her the day she came home....hard to believe....

6 lbs. 7 oz. 19 inches long

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Here are some more pictures from today when I was trying to get one good shot of her at 6 months....she is too funny!